Almost 9 percent of Alabama residents are veterans, giving the state one of the higher percentages of former military personnel in the country.

Alabama has a total population of 4.8 million, with about 414,963 veterans, or 8.7 percent, according to data compiled by NBC News. NBC compiled the data in connection to ongoing controversies involving medical care at VA facilities.

Alabama has four VA medical centers and 14 VA medical clinics to serve about 108,175 patients. The average cost per patient is $9,135.

Here's how that stacks up to other states with heavy veteran populations: (Data shows percent of veteran population, average cost per patient).